Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Mission Viejo, CA

While I am new to Headway, I have been practicing in various schools settings as a counselor for over a decade: supporting students and parents navigate, life, learning and loss of all types. Whether you or your child experience neurodivergence (such as ADHD, anxiety, autism, emotionality, sensory sensitivities, demand avoidance, etc.) or are struggling with social , work, relationship or routine daily demands, I am here to support you.

I tailor each session to meet the client's individual needs, personality, and strengths. Together, we'll build on your resilience, intuition, and inner resources while creating opportunities for growth, healing, and self-empowerment. My goal is to provide a safe, collaborative environment to make changes at your pace.

My passion is helping individuals find healing, balance, and inner strength. With compassion and care, I support clients as they navigate life’s challenges, building resilience, self-awareness, and emotional well-being along the way.‍I provide evidence-based treatment tailored to each person’s needs, drawing on mindfulness, trauma-informed approaches, and personalized care plans. My goal is to create a safe and supportive space where clients can reconnect with themselves and develop the tools for lasting wellness.

I have 10 years of experience working with children, individuals, couples and families to using a strength-based, systems approach. For couple’s I utilize Gottman-based approaches.

I believe that every person is born with the capacity to live a full, meaningful, and joyful life. Through life's challenges, losses, relationships, and unexpected experiences, we can become disconnected from that sense of wholeness. My role is to provide a compassionate, supportive space where you can reconnect with yourself, better understand your experiences, and move toward healing. I view therapy as a collaborative process built on trust, respect, and genuine human connection.

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience working in community mental health, co-occurring substance use treatment, and residential care settings. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use challenges, mood disorders, relationship stress, and major life transitions.

I believe therapy works best when clients feel heard, respected and supported without judgement. My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and tailored to each client's unique needs and goals. I draw from CBT, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based approaches to help clients build insight, emotional stability, and healthier coping strategies.

I subscribe to cognitive behavioral therapy, emphasizing the rational behavioral therapy modality. I hold a doctorate (EdD) in counseling and educational psychology from the University of San Francisco, where I also earned my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. I earned a Master's in Divinity from the Franciscan School of Theology at the Graduate Theological Union. I have been practicing since 1987 and am a seasoned therapist.